Shivamurthy, MSHANKARA, M H2017-06-142017-06-142010-07-10TH-6937http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810019920The present study was conducted in the Eastern Dry Zone (Zone-5) of Karnataka during 2009-10 to know the perception of farmers’ about climate change and adaptation measures initiated due to climate change and also to identify the constraints experienced by them to initiate adaptation measures. Visible variation in rainfall and temperature was observed in Zone-5 hence, these climate parameters were considered for the study. The findings revealed that, nearly 54.11 per cent of farmers had high level followed by low (26.35%) and medium (19.54%) level of perception about changes in rainfall before 2000. The majority (96.66%) of farmers had medium level followed by high (1.67%) and low (1.67%) level of perception about changes in rainfall after 2000. Though the actual data indicates there was increase in the rainfall after 2000, but farmers’ perceived that, there was decrease in the rainfall, it may be because, they growing high water demand crops in recent days. The results of study indicates that, about 75 per cent of farmers had medium followed by low (22.50 %) and high (2.50 %) level of perception about changes in the temperature before 2000. Nearly 99.66 per cent had medium followed by low (3.34 %) level of perception about changes in temperature after 2000. With respect to perception of farmers about climate change, there was increase in the perception level of farmers after 2000 when compare to changes in the climate before 2000. All farmers opined that, cost of cultivation, pest and disease incidence had increased, yield and income from agriculture had been adversely affected due to climate change. In the study area Ragi, Paddy and Mulberry were the major crops. With respect to adaptation measures initiated by farmers in above crops, changes in varieties, time of planting, switching over to other crops and soil and water conservation practices was observed among 37.50 per cent of farmers who had medium level of adaptation before 2000 and 55.83 per cent had high level of adaptation after 2000. Majority of the farmers had initiated dairy, sericulture and other subsidiary occupations as an adaptation measures to climate change. Most of the marginal farmers followed by small and big farmers and their family members were migrated to cities in search of jobs and other facilities. The major constraints experienced by farmers to initiate adaptation measures were, difficult to work in the field for longer hours, followed by high cost of agricultural inputs, non availability of timely inputs and low price for the produce in the market. They have also given important suggestions to mitigate the ill effects of climate change viz., early warning has to be given to the farmers about environmental changes, creating awareness about appropriate adaptation measures against climate change and development departments should take up measures in supplying production inputs at appropriate time in the villages.ennullThesis